Satin Nights

by Karen E. Quinones Miller

“Monopoly,” Renee corrected her. “And we’re not playing until everyone finishes their food. Hi, Aunt Tamika.”

  “Mommy!” Sissy jumped up from the floor and ran over to her mother, almost knocking her down. “I thought those guys mighta come back and killed you and Daddy.”

  “Oh, shut up, stupid.” Darren stood in the corner of the room, hands in his pockets, alternately glaring at his little sister and looking down at the floor.

  Tamika managed a weak smile and put her hands out toward her son. “Don’t call your sister stupid, Darren. Now, come give Mommy a hug.”

  “I don’t need a hug,” Darren muttered.

  Tamika walked over and tried to pull him into her arms. “Well, maybe I do. You know I miss you and your sister when you spend the night out.” She kissed him on the cheek, though he stood immobile, his hands still in his pockets. “You okay, baby?” she asked gently.

  He nodded but chewed his lips as if trying not to cry.

  “Okay,” she said, stepping away from him. “Looks like you kids are in the middle of breakfast, huh?” she said as she looked at the plastic plates.

  “Come on in the kitchen and get some coffee,” Regina said to Tamika, leading the way.

  “I can’t believe you cooked pancakes and sausage for all these kids,” Tamika said, sitting down at Regina’s kitchen table. “Why didn’t you just give them all a bowl of cereal and call it a day?”

  “I would have,” Regina said. She retrieved a container of orange juice from the refrigerator. “You can thank Liz here. She was up at the break of dawn cooking and baking. You have to taste her biscuits. Homemade, I might add. No help from the Pillsbury Doughboy.”

  “It was nothing, Miss Regina,” Liz said as she stood over the sink washing dishes. “I really love to cook. And since it’s only me and Frank at home, I don’t really get a chance to cook for a lot of people.”

  “Frank?” Regina asked with a raised eyebrow.

  “My father. I’ve always called him Frank.”

  “Liz, why don’t you take a break and sit down with us for a moment?” Regina said.

  “Sure, as soon as I finish. It won’t be but a minute.”

  Regina looked at the girl and shook her head. Here it was not even 10 a.m., and Liz was perfectly made up, her hair pulled into a stylish bun, with just a few tendrils escaping to frame her face. She wore the black skintight jeans she had changed into the night before, but this morning it was topped off by one of Renee’s oversize sweatshirts. But instead of looking boyish, she looked like a ballet dancer.

  “Mommy, can I have some more orange juice?” Camille’s voice rang out from the living room.

  “I’ll get that, Miss Regina,” Liz said. She grabbed a glass and the orange juice from the table.

  “Did she spend the night?” Tamika whispered after Liz left.

  Regina nodded. “In the guest room, of course.”

  “Well, she seems like a really nice girl,” Tamika said, picking at her toast. “Ray-Ray could have done a lot worse.”

  “Yeah,” Regina said dryly. “She’ll make a great wife.”

  “Gina,” Tamika said softly, “are you having a problem with their, um, their relationship?”

  “I’m trying not to,” Regina said with a shrug. “I mean, you know I’ve never had a problem with people’s sexuality, but . . .” She stopped speaking when Liz reentered the kitchen.

  “Do you want some more toast, Miss Tamika?” Liz asked on the way back to the sink. “Or are you sure you don’t want me to make you some bacon or sausage?”

  “No, honey, I’m fine,” Tamika said, and took a sip of her coffee. “So you said it’s just you and your father at home?”

  “Uh-huh.” Liz nodded. “My mother died in an automobile accident when I was two, and I lived with my grandmother for a while, but she had a stroke when I was six, and I went to live with Frank. It’s just been me and him ever since.”

  Regina’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know your mother was dead. You poor thing.”

  Liz shrugged. “Such is life, huh? But, you know, you have to do the best you can with what you have, right?”

  “I guess,” Regina said weakly as Renee entered the kitchen.

  “Liz? We’re going to play a game of Monopoly. You want in?” Renee asked.

  “Sure,” Liz said quickly, then looked at Regina and Tamika.

  “Go ahead. I need to talk to Tamika about a bunch of stuff, anyway,” Regina said with a wave of her hand.

  “Poor kid,” Tamika said after Liz and Renee left the kitchen. “First her mother dying and then her grandmother.”

  “Yeah, and she’s such a sweet girl,” Regina said. “Damn, now I feel bad for trying so hard not to like her. Especially since she’s always gone out of her way to be helpful.” She sighed. “Maybe I’m just a bitch. I don’t know, maybe I’m just tired. I didn’t really get any sleep last night.”

  “Worrying about Ray-Ray sneaking into the guest room with Liz, or worrying about Little Joe and Charles?” Tamika asked with a grin.

  “Both, and you don’t have to be so damn smug about it, you know.” Regina cut her eyes at her friend. “But enough about me and little minor problems. What’s going on with the house?”

  “Well, the kitchen has to be redone, and we’re going to have to paint all of downstairs, but the upstairs was pretty much spared except for some minor smoke damage. David and I were up most of the night trying to put things together.” Tamika picked at the toast in front of her as she spoke. “David called a contractor. That is, after Yvonne came over at seven this morning to pick up money for Robert’s bail.”

  “How much did she get from you guys?”

  “Five hundred. Not that we can really afford it right now, but that girl really knows how to beg,” Tamika said. “It’s not like it’s going to break us, but this sure isn’t the time to be loaning out money.”

  “Yeah, she finally begged three hundred out of me. She walked over here right after she came from your house,” Regina said. “And I told her ass off about bugging you guys right now, but you know how that girl is when she’s on a mission.”

  “Yeah, I know. She’s always been like that. But I’ve never seen her like this about any man but Robert. I can’t understand it. He must have some kind of a spell over her.”

  “Well, I don’t know if he has a spell, but I got to tell you he’s probably laying some serious pipe on her. He certainly has the equipment,” Regina said with a giggle. “Did I tell you his johnson is like ten inches? And skinny as he’s gotten, it doesn’t look like his dick has lost any weight.”

  “Get out.” Tamika started laughing. “Girl, I wish I had been there that night. I would have been right there with Puddin’ rolling on the sidewalk cracking up.”

  “Girl, it was a mess.” Regina shook her head. “That was the funniest shit I’ve ever seen. Even when they handcuffed him and threw him in the back of the police car, he laid down on the seat and started humping that. I guess he wanted to make little baby patrol cars or something.”

  “Hmph, that man is really messed up. And it’s so hard to believe. Remember when we first met Robert, Charles, and David at that club that night? It was Robert that was the most suave and sophisticated,” Tamika said.

  “And the smoothest talker. David was all shy, and Charles was acting like a sarcastic asshole, but old Robert was laying his rap down like he didn’t care. He had Yvonne’s nose open that first night.”

  “And ever since—” Tamika started.

  “Mom, can me and Sissy go home now?” Darren interrupted them. He walked over to his mother, his shoulders sagging and his head bowed down almost to his chest. “We really want to go home.”

  “No, I don’t, Mommy,” Sissy called from the living room. “I’m beating Ray-Ray and Liz at Monopoly.”

  “She’s not beating me, though,” Camille’s voice rang out.

  “That’s ’cause she’s cheating!” Sissy charged.

 
; “Well, she can stay, but I really do want to go home.” Darren lifted his head up, revealing red swollen eyes. “Please?”

  “Darren, baby, are you okay?” Tamika tugged him close to her.

  “I’m fine,” Darren said as he pulled away. “I just wanna go home.”

  Tamika looked at her son a minute before saying anything. “Okay, baby, we’ll be going home in a minute. Go get your stuff ready.”

  “He’s been crying all night,” Regina said after he left. “He wouldn’t say anything to anyone, and he didn’t want any pizza or ice cream. He barely touched his breakfast this morning.”

  “He blames himself for what happened,” Tamika said, her eyes suddenly brimming with tears.

  “Well . . .”

  “Yeah, I know ultimately it is his fault, and he knows he did wrong, and he’s really sorry. He feels so damn guilty I’m almost afraid he’s going to hurt himself. No twelve-year-old kid needs to be going through all this,” Tamika said defensively. “And I feel so helpless, because I don’t know how to make it stop at this point. I even suggested to David that we sell the house or rent it out and just move, but he won’t even discuss it.”

  “Damn. I hate for you to have to move over this shit. Can’t David get them locked up?”

  “We can’t prove it was them that did it. Mrs. Evans said she saw a blue car drive up to the house, then someone get out the backseat and throw something through the window before the fire started, but she didn’t get a good look.” Tamika took a deep breath. “And even if she did, she wouldn’t admit it in court. She’d be afraid she’d wind up in the same spot we’re in now.”

  Buzzz.

  “That must be Puddin’,” Regina said, getting up from the table.

  Tamika looked at her watch. “Puddin’? It’s not even eleven in the morning. She doesn’t usually get up until like four or something. Why’s she coming over here so early?”

  “For you, sweetie. When I called her and told her what happened yesterday, she felt so bad about not being there for you that I actually got her to agree to come over so we could help you put everything back together,” Regina said before she headed out the kitchen.

  “I’ll get the door,” Renee called out before Regina got far.

  “Of course,” Regina said to Tamika as she returned to the table, “we didn’t remember what a dynamo you are, putting everything back in order in just one day.”

  Tamika grinned. “Well, you guys can help me paint the—”

  “Regina, you’d better get the fuck out here,” Puddin’ interrupted as she strode into the kitchen. “Looks like we got another fucking crisis on our hands.”

  “Oh my God.” Tamika jumped up. “Are those guys back? Is my house okay? Where’s Darren and Sissy?”

  “What guys?” Puddin’ said impatiently. “Oh. Yeah, no. It’s not that. It’s just a whole bunch of shopping bags full of clothes on your stoop, and Ray-Ray started crying her eyes out as soon as she saw them.”

  “What?” Regina walked toward the door with Tamika and Puddin’ close behind. “That fucking Brenda,” she said when she reached the stoop. There were six or seven brown paper shopping bags, one of them spilling out a smashed Sony Walkman and MP3 player, along with a number of CDs—all snapped in two. Another four or five small plastic shopping bags overflowed with shredded jeans and sweatpants. Ripped sneakers were strewn on the steps and the sidewalk. And Renee sat in the middle of it all blubbering, with Liz sitting with her arm around her, trying to comfort her.

  Puddin’ pointed to Liz. “Who the hell is she, and where did she come from?”

  “That’s Liz, Ray-Ray’s girlfriend. She spent the night,” Regina answered. “In the guest room.” She walked over to Renee. “Come on, sweetie.” She pulled the girl up from the step and into her arms. “Don’t let this get you down. You know how your mother is. She’s just really angry right now, but you know she’ll get over it.”

  “I don’t care if she ever gets over it. I hate her,” Renee wailed into Regina’s shoulder.

  “Don’t say that, Ray-Ray, she’s still your mother,” Regina said as she patted her on the back. “She’s just having a very hard time adjusting to your lifestyle. It came as a shock to her, and you know Brenda doesn’t handle surprises well.”

  “Yeah, Ray,” Liz said, standing behind them. “It took Frank a while to get used to it, too.”

  “Yeah, but your father loves you,” Ray-Ray said, turning to look at her through red eyes. “My mother hates me.”

  “She does not,” Tamika said. She picked up two of the shopping bags and dropped them into the large metal trash cans next to the stoop. “She loves you very much.”

  “All this because Ray-Ray likes girls?” Puddin’ said, taking a seat on the steps. “Damn.”

  “If she loves me, then why has she been hanging up on me every time I try to call for the past week and a half?”

  “Because she’s a bitch. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t love you,” Puddin’ said while taking a good long look at Liz, who shifted from one foot to the other under her stare. “So your name is Liz, huh?” she finally asked the girl. “And you’re Ray-Ray’s friend?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Liz tried to match Puddin’s stare but failed, her gaze dropping to the sidewalk.

  “And who’s this Frank?” Puddin’ demanded.

  “Um, my father.”

  “Oh, you call your father by his first name, huh?” Puddin’ snorted.

  “Puddin’,” Regina said in a warning tone.

  “Mommy, what’s all this stuff on the steps?” Camille called from the vestibule.

  “Mille, go on back in the house with Darren and Sissy. I’ll explain when I get inside,” Regina answered, still hugging Renee.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t make introductions,” Renee sniffed. “Liz, this is my Aunt Puddin’. And Aunt Puddin’, this is my friend Liz Boyce, so stop being mean, Aunt Puddin’.”

  “How are you, Miss Puddin’?” Liz extended a hand to Puddin’. “It’s good to meet you. Ray’s told me so much about you.”

  “Who’s Ray?” Puddin’ said, ignoring the girl’s hand. “Your grandfather?”

  “Um, I mean, Renee,” Liz stammered.

  “Well, since you know her name is Renee, you should call her Renee,” Puddin’ said. She stood up and wiped off the seat of her jeans. “Or since you’re her friend, maybe you can call her Ray-Ray like her other friends do. But don’t call her Ray, that’s a boy’s name. And Ray-Ray’s not a boy.”

  “Oh come on, Aunt Puddin’,” Renee said with a smile as she walked over and hugged her. “Stop being like that.” Renee looked at Liz. “She always tries to make people believe she’s mean, but she’s not really a hater like that. Are you, Aunt Puddin’?” Renee stood on tiptoes and gave Puddin’ a kiss.

  “Look, don’t try to—”

  “Are you, Aunt Puddin’?” Renee said again, and started to tickle Puddin’ under the arms.

  “Stop, Ray-Ray,” Puddin’ said. She suppressed a giggle as she tried to back up, but Renee stayed on her.

  Regina lightly elbowed Liz in the side before shouting, “Get her, Ray-Ray.”

  “Ray-Ray, stop. I swear I’m gonna kick your ass.” Puddin’ backed up against the cement stoop pedestal while overcome with laughter.

  “No, you won’t,” Renee said, then finally stopped and gave Puddin’ another hug. “You love me too much. And so does Liz. So be nice, okay?”

  “Hmph.” Puddin’ stood up and straightened her clothes and hair. “I wasn’t being not nice.”

  Renee started helping Tamika, Regina, and Liz throw the rest of her tattered belongings in the trash cans. “I’m sorry I said what I said about my mother, but this . . .” She gave a little sigh as she put the last of the bags in the trash. “Well, you gotta see this hurts. I really thought she woulda let up by now.”

  “You know,” Tamika said as they walked back up the steps, “I thought Buddhists were supposed to be more, well, enlightened and c
ompassionate. I wouldn’t think they would go crazy about homosexuality.”

  “Didn’t Aunt Gina tell you?” Renee asked as they walked into the house. “My mother’s Christian again. She’s a member of the Church of the Unified Reformers.”

  “What’s that?” Tamika asked.

  “Basically—” Regina started.

  “A cult,” Renee finished for her.

  “Yeah, well, just be careful if she offers you any Kool-Aid,” Puddin’ said with a snort.

  “You okay now, Ray-Ray?” Regina asked, putting her arm around her niece.

  Renee shrugged. “I’m fine. A little bummed, but fine.”

  “Well, then, I have an idea,” Puddin’ said suddenly. “Why don’t you come hang out with your Aunt Puddin’ for the day? We can go to the movies or even Atlantic City. Yeah, how about we take a trip to Atlantic City? Gina, you’ll let me borrow your car, right?”

  “Puddin’, I thought you were supposed to be helping Tamika out today,” Regina said with a smirk.

  “She’s got you to help her out. I gotta take care of our little girl,” Puddin’ shot back. “So can we take the car?”

  “Ooh, that would be so great.” Renee almost jumped up and down in glee.

  “Yeah.” Regina made a face, then got her car keys from the coffee table and threw them to Puddin’. “But damn it, don’t you go around killing grandfathers in my car.”

  “Killing who?” Liz looked from Regina to Puddin’.

  “I’ll explain it to you while we’re on the way,” Renee said, pulling her up the stairs. “Come on, let’s go get ready.”

  “Hey,” Puddin’ called after them, “I thought it was going to be—”

  “We’ll be ready in a minute,” Renee shouted over her shoulder. “Promise we won’t keep you waiting.”

  “Puddin’, we’re just going to have to face it. They’re a couple.” Regina grabbed her friend around the waist and pulled her into the kitchen. “Now, let’s go over this thing about not hitting grandfathers in my car—”

  Ring.

  Regina picked up the telephone that hung on the kitchen wall. “Hello.”

  “Hey,” a dry voice on the other end replied.

  “Oh,” Regina said, recognizing the voice. “Hey, Charles.”